SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man accused of ramming police cars on a chase that began in Nebraska has been sentenced to five more years in an Iowa prison. Woodbury County court records say 43-year-old Larry Johnson II pleaded guilty to felony eluding after prosecutors dropped an assault charge. His plea agreement says the sentence must be served after the remainder of his 15-year sentence for forgery. He was on parole when the chase occurred July 6.

The Nebraska State Patrol says a Nebraska trooper tried to stop Johnson’s pickup truck being pursued by South Sioux City police. Officials say the truck rammed the trooper’s car before crossing into Iowa.
Officials say the truck again rammed both the trooper’s car and a sheriff’s vehicle before becoming stuck on a median.

His Nebraska case is pending.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue were called at around 6:44-a.m. today to a rollover accident at 650th and Galveston Road, just east of Atlantic. One person was said to have suffered some cuts and abrasions to their hand. No other information is currently available.

(Radio Iowa) — The head of the union representing the largest share of state government employees is accusing the Department of Corrections of “downplaying” the severity of an incident at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. State prison officials, in a news release last Friday, said a guard was treated and released from a hospital after being punched and kicked by an inmate. AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan calls it an “incomplete portrayal” of the attack. He says video shows the inmate threw six punches and 13 “stomps to the head” while three other inmates attempted to slow down responding staff. Homan claims an inmate property search afterward found cocaine and a shank. While blaming Governor Kim Reynolds and Republicans, Homan calls staffing levels in Iowa prisons “dangerously low.” The governor’s office and the Department of Corrections issued statements in response to Homan’s claims.

Iowa Department of Corrections statement:

“Our staff and their well-being is the highest priority of this department. The department stands by its initial press release that was published after the assault occurred. It was both accurate and timely. After any assault on staff or other inmates, the department initiates an investigation into the incident. Any attempt to preemptively release the confidential details and evidence compiled as part of that investigation undermines the integrity of the investigation and the security of the correctional system. Attempts to politicize attacks on our staff damages the overall security of our facilities and the safety of our staff.”

Statement from Brenna Smith, Communications Director for Governor Reynolds:

“The Department of Corrections holds the safety and security of their team members with the highest priority.”

AFSCME news release issued 10/25:

AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement in response to the Iowa Department of Corrections’ incomplete portrayal of yet another correctional officer being attacked by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison:

“On Friday (Oct 19), the Iowa Department of Corrections distributed a press release detailing the assault on a correctional officer by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Unfortunately, the DOC failed to release the full scope of the incident. In recent days, reports from eyewitnesses detail a situation far more serious than what the Department has led the public to believe.

“A total of four inmates were involved in the assault: one who threw six punches and 13 stomps to the head and three others who helped plan the assault and attempted to slow down the responding staff while the assault was taking place. Video footage shows the group of inmates plotting at a table and watching the correctional officer make his rounds. The inmate who assaulted the correctional officer had just completed a long-term restricted housing program intended to make him less dangerous. Additionally, cocaine and a shank were discovered during the shakedown and inmate property search following the incident. “Until yesterday (Wednesday), the Warden at ISP had refused to meet with union members over their concerns about the safety and security of staff within the facility. The dangerously low staffing levels at all of our correctional facilities mean that incidents like this one will continue to escalate in severity. When will Governor Reynolds and the legislative Republicans who have created this budget disaster realize that their carelessness is going to get someone killed?”

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been scheduled in 2020 in a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by a former school district official in northern Iowa. Mason City Schools’ former human resources director Jodie Anderson filed the lawsuit in July, alleging that men employed by the district were being paid more than women for the same categories of work when she examined salary structures in 2015. The lawsuit says that despite receiving “outstanding reviews and received compliments” for her job performance, Anderson’s wage was frozen at $87,550.

The school district argued in a response that Anderson received more than $7,500 in excess pay without board approval, confirmed by a state re-audit. Cerro Gordo County court records say the trial is set to begin Jan. 7, 2020.

Another convenience store in Council Bluffs has been robbed. Police say the White Oak Station at 2024 5^th Avenue was hit at around 3:25-a.m., today. Authorities say a white male between 20- and 25-years of age, entered the store wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with “Mossy Oak” written on the front, a black ski mask, and black pants while displaying a black handgun. The suspect then left the store on foot eastbound with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Oct. 26th robbery images (click to enlarge)

He was described as being five-feet eight-inches tall, with an average build. There were no injuries. The same store was robbed Sunday night by two men, one of whom held a box cutter, the other a table leg. No injuries were reported during the incident.

And, early Wednesday morning, the Kwik Shop located at 3632 Ave G in Council Bluffs was robbed by a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with “Omaha” written on the back, a black mask, and light colored jeans, entered the store while brandishing a silver handgun. The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking anyone with information about these crimes to please call the Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Red Oak Police, Thursday night, arrested a woman from Pottawattamie County. 57-year old Cindy Jo Snipes, of Council Bluffs, was arrested a little before 10-p.m. in the 2300 block of Eastern Avenue, for Disorderly Conduct. Snipes was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $300 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) — Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the Justice Department to investigate high-profile attorney Michael Avenatti and a client who made allegations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh.

Grassley says investigators should look into “a potential conspiracy” to make false statements to congress and obstruct his Judiciary Committee’s investigation of Kavanaugh. Grassley says there were “obvious, susequent contradictions” after Avenatti revealed a client’s allegations.

Avenatti tweeted that he’s ready to start the investigation immediately and Avenatti says it will — in his words — “get to the bottom of Judge Kavanaugh’s lies.”